Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Just when you start feeling you're getting somewhere with your writing, BAM! reality smacks you in the forehead!

Yes, I received the dreaded rejection letter this week from Steeple Hill, my publisher of choice. They did say I could submit future works, so there is something positive out of the whole thing.

So now I have decided it might be in my best interest to pursue finding an agent. That will be my next quest. And luckily I have a lot of feedback from my fellow writers on their experiences with different agents and agencies. So time to back track, do my research and get those queries out there!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

It took me a while but I have now caught the Jane Austen fever. After watching "Pride and Prejudice" and then "Sense and Sensibility" on Masterpiece theatre for a few weeks in a row, I got hooked. Somehow the BBC versions were more realistic to me than the big Hollywood productions.

After watching those series, I had to rent "Becoming Jane" with Anne Hathoway, who does an excellent job of portraying this remarkable woman. As I forge on with my own writing career, I think about Jane and how amazing it would have been for a woman in the late 1700's and early 1800's to have her work published! She was way ahead of her time.

Jane's unrequited love story was so well done, even though I know they embellished a few details and maybe changed the timing of some events. Her conflict over her ill-fated love for Tom Lefroy, as well as her refusal to marry another man for money only, despite the pressure of her family, were poignantly portrayed.

So enthralled was I with this real life story, that I had to look up Tom Lefroy's biography. He married not long after his "flirtation" with Jane, and had 8 children, one of whom died in infancy. He went on to have an illustrious career as a Chief Justice in Ireland as well as to serve in politics. Unlike Jane who died quite young, Tom went on to live past 90. His first daughter was named Jane, and some speculate that it was after Jane Austen. He apparently did confess to a nephew that he had been in love with Jane. There is some proof as well that when Jane died, he travelled back to England for her funeral and that later he bought a rejection letter from one of the publishing houses. Now that is romantic! Big sigh!

So if you get a chance, rent "Becoming Jane", but have a box of tissue handy!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

For anyone who writes Romantic Fiction, the Golden Heart Contest will mean something to them. Hosted by the Romance Writers of America, this contest for unpublished authors receives entries from all over the world. To get that phone call saying that your manuscript has finalled in the contest is quite a thrill to say the least!

Well, I received just such a call on March 25, 2008! My book "Wyndermere House" is one of the five finalists in the Inspirational Romance category. And I almost hung up on the poor woman! I thought it was a telemarketer who didn't even know what company she was calling from! Luckily I didn't cut her off with an "I'm not interested" remark as I so often do with those pesky callers. When the term RWA still didn't sink in, the term Golden Heart finalist got my attention!

To all the other women out there who have received the same honour, I say congratulations and wish you all the best of luck.

And now I can add the tag line "2008 Golden Heart® Finalist" to my name. For the next little while at least.

Welcome everyone to Sue's blog! I must admit up front that I am a blog virgin. This is a big step for me. The next one will be to get a web-site. Or maybe I should start with a My Space or Facebook page. My daughter can help me with that one!

About Me

I am married with two children. My day job is a part-time secretary, a job I really enjoy. My spare time is spent writing romantic fiction, searching my ancestry on the web and taking care of my family. I also sneak time in to watch some TV and read lots of great books!